We all know that looking at a computer screen all day has a poor effect on our vision, but why is it that blue light protection is so important for our eyes? Learn more about blue light syndrome and how to start protecting your eyes.

Artificial blue light can keep you awake at night—Artificial blue light, such as those in laptops, phones, and television screens, can send signals to your body that it’s time to stay awake. This can make it harder to fall asleep quickly, and if you use your phone or computer right before bed, you may disrupt your sleep schedule.

Blue light can cause eye strain—Working on screens can cause your eyes to become strained, and this can lead to dry eye. If you experience headaches while looking at your phone of laptop, make sure to practice the 20-20-20 rule: for every 20 minutes you spend looking at a screen, spend 20 seconds focusing on something 20 feet away. Because blue light protection is so important, you can also invest in computer glasses, which help to reduce the blue light that reaches your eyes. Your computer or phone may even have a “night” version that makes the screen look more yellow, which can help your eyes.

Turn off electronics—An hour before bedtime, you should turn off your electronics to make sure that you spend some time without the blue light. This can help to resolve some sleeping issues, and it can also help to make you fall asleep faster and easier.

Invest in blue light protection to ensure that your eyes are in their optimal condition! To learn more about blue light, or to schedule an appointment with an optometrist at Valley Eyecare Center, call (602) 955-2700, or visit our website.